in Chicago, where she was part-owner of a funeral home. Ozzie retired from teaching in 1979 after 38 years, and then worked with his wife. He died in 2001 from complications from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Simmons was inducted into the Bob Douglas Black Sports Hall of Fame in New York in 1984. In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Ozzie Simmons was selected to the team as a running back. Simmons never appeared angry that he was a victim of racism. "I never had any serious problems in my lifetime," Simmons said in 1989. "I respect people and they respect me. I find that to be wonderful." References External links Simmons Obituary From ESPN 1914 births 2001 deaths American football halfbacks Iowa Hawkeyes football players People from Gainesville, Texas Players of American football from Texas African-American players of American football Neurological disease deaths in the United States Deaths from Alzheimer's disease Deaths from Parkinson's disease 20th-century African-American sportspeople